Early rehabilitation after surgery plays an important role in how quickly you recuperate from your surgery. Depending upon your surgery type, rehabilitation can start while you are in the recovery room. Rehab helps improve your functioning level, increases muscle strength, flexibility and endurance while also lowering your risks of developing any further injury or infection. Check with your doctor first since not all methods may be suitable for your individual condition.
Upper Leg Workout
Early rehabilitation after hip-related surgery such as resurfacing includes strengthening your quadriceps, muscles that support your hips. Do some quadriceps static exercises. Static exercise, known as isometrics, involve strengthening your muscle without moving any joints. Lay on your back with your legs fully extended. Tighten your quadriceps, thigh, muscles on your surgical leg. Hold this tension for eight seconds. Release the tension. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times or until your thigh muscle gets tired.
Foot Pumps
Early rehabilitation after surgery needs to improve blood circulation throughout the feet and legs in order to prevent blood clots. Doing some foot pumps will help. Lay on your back with your legs fully extended. Point your toes toward the ceiling. Slowly bring your big toe of your surgical leg toward your body. Keep your heel on the surface. Hold this position for five seconds. Return your foot to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Slowly point your big toe away from you, as if using a car accelerator pedal. Hold this position five seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do this exercise throughout the day.
Breathing
Early rehabilitation after surgery needs to keep your lungs clear and operating properly. You may be given a spirometer device that measures your lung capacity as you breathe in and out while using it. Using the spirometer encourages deep breathing which can both reduce any fluid buildup in your lungs following surgery and reduce your risks of developing pneumonia. Deep breathing also increases lung capacity. Use coughing as an early rehab exercise. Start coughing every half hour to loosen phlegm or congestion that has accumulated in your lungs.
Arm Swings
Arm swings can be used during early rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly lean forward from your waist. Keep your back straight and not slouched. Slightly bend your knees to ease back stress. For extra support, place your uninjured arm onto a firm surface such as a table. Slowly move your upper body until your surgical arm starts swinging like a pendulum. Let it swing freely in a clockwise circle. Make five circles. Return to the upright position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise five times. Other options include swinging your arm forward and backward or side to side.
